Cultural Dimensions and Communication in Societies

Dimensions of Culture

• Cultures are shaped by various dimensions such as identity, power, gender, uncertainty, time, and gratification of needs.

Social Patterns and Human Needs

• Social patterns require conformity to sanctioned behaviors to address universal circumstances, including:
• Existence of genders
• Vulnerability of infants
• Basic needs (food, warmth, sex)
• Presence of diverse age groups and abilities

High-Context vs. Low-Context Cultures

• High-context cultures:
• Implicit communication
• Much of the message is understood through context rather than words.
• Low-context cultures:
• Explicit communication
• Most messages are conveyed directly through language.

Variables Influencing Human Actions (Parsons and Shills)

• Human actions are influenced by five paired variables:
• Gratification of needs vs. restriction of impulses
• Self-orientation vs. collective orientation
• Universalism vs. particularism
  • Universalism: applying general standards
  • Particularism: considering specific relationships
• Ascription vs. achievement
  • Ascription: judging by identity
  • Achievement: judging by actions
• Specificity vs. diffuseness
  • Specificity: limited relationships
  • Diffuseness: unrestricted relationships

Cultural Normative Level and Aggregation Levels

• Parsons and Shills' model does not account for variability in cultural norms at different social aggregation levels or settings.

Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's Value Orientations

• Societies classified by five orientations:
• Evaluation of human nature (good vs. evil)
• Relationship with the environment (harmony vs. control)
• Time orientation (past, present, future)
• Activity (being vs. doing)
• Social relationships (hierarchical vs. linear structures)

Analytical Issues in Dimensionalizing Cultures (Inkeles and Levinson)

• Focus on three issues:
• Relation to authority
• Concept of self
• Primary dilemmas or conflicts and resolutions

Hofstede's Value Orientation Issues

• Identified problems related to cultural values:
• Dependence on superiors
• Need for rules and predictability
• Balance between individual and group goals in business
• Ego values (personal achievement) vs. social values (group cooperation)

Conclusion

• These frameworks provide a deeper understanding of cultural dynamics and interpersonal relationships in various contexts, contributing to better international and intercultural engagement.